7 Quick Takes Friday - Special Baby Boy Edition

SPECIAL BABY BOY EDITION!

1. Two years ago today, this was me, at right around the same time of the morning that I am writing this:

(Yes, that's me having a big ole contraction. The pitocin-induced kind.)

2. A number of hours later, this was my husband, given about 10 minutes notice that there would be an emergency c-section. He is praying his rosary in earnest.

3. At 5:37 p.m., this is who appeared:

(This is Alan's very first photo, as imperfect as it is. It shows my husband cutting his umbilical cord.)


4. First photo of Mom and baby:

5. Here's the first good shot of our newborn baby, probably within 10-15 minutes after birth.



6. Here is my favorite photo from the birth experience. It's the seminal nuclear family photo for me: Mom, Dad, Baby, and Gramma.

7. And here he is now, 2 very long years later - Alan Edward - my beautiful baby boy. You will be my baby forever and I love you forever!


8. Bonus Take: They always tell you to make a mix CD or bring in CDs that you want to have as background music playing during your birth. So I carefully considered the kind of music I wanted and brought a special grouping that was carefully thought-out. Well, when the doctor said we were going to an emergency c-section, the music I wanted to have playing during the birth was obvioulsy not going to happen. (Although when they wheeled me into the operating room, they did ask what radio station I wanted on. I could hear country music and I remember yelling out "No way is my child being born to country music!")

The song Alan was born to was "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. I'm OK with that, I love disco. But here's the song I really had planned to be playing during the birth. I'm crying as I write this, knowing exactly why this song was so meaningful to me and why I wanted it so much. No, it's not a sad song, but it brings out emotion in me nonetheless.